Sound-reproducing machine



H. T. SCHIFF SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED F EB.14, 1920.

1,398,742. Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

zz azz 0a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY 'I. SCI-IIFF, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO VITA-NOLA. TALKING MACHINE 00., A GOR-PORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SOUND-REPRODUGING MACHINE.

Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

Application filed February 14, 1920. Serial No. 358,702.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY T. SoHIr-r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Sound-Reproducing Machines, of which the following is a specification. 7

This invention relates to improvements in sound reproducing machines and more particularly to the sound modulator, for modulating the sound in the amplifier.

Heretofore in machines of this character the tone modulator has been constructed of either wood or has been of a composite construction of wood and other material or has been formed of some stiff material. In use it has been discovered that the portion of the tone passage adjacent the modulator or the bearings for the modulator warp or become distorted sufficiently to permit the sound waves to cause the modulator to rattle 0r chatter and the modulator will become loose with the further result that there will be a leak of the sound waves.

Furthermore the component parts of the modulator have heretofore been constructed of wood with the result that it has been sensitive to the atmospheric conditions, especially dampness which causes the parts to swell with the result that the modulator will stick. A further objection with prior constructions is that the operating handle which is connected with the modulator extends into and projects across the tone passage causing the sound waves to be split thereby, with the result that there will be a whistling tendency of the sound waves.

Toovercome all of these difiiculties and objections and to provide an improved modulator which will be effective and efficient in operation is one of the objects of the present invention.

A further object is to provide an improved modulator of this character constructed of flexible material preferably of a fibrous nature such as felt or the like so that it will conform to the tone passageway and so that it will at all times be airtight and there will be no possibility of any of the sound waves escaping therearound, and by means of which an absolute control of the modulator and the sound waves will be obtained.

A further object is to provide an improved manner of connecting the operating handle tothe modulator so that it will not extend into or across the tone passage and so that it will not form any obstruction to the sound waves in the passage.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement ofthe several parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawing illustrating this invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation, partly in section and partly broken away of a sound reproducing machine with this improved modulator applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view on line 2-2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the modulator with the handle detached.

Fig. 41 is a perspective view of the handle.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the casing of the modulator.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 10 designates the usual cabinet, the numeral 11 the rotatable record support and the numeral 12 the tone arm of a sound reproducing machine. Within the cabinet 10 is arranged the amplifying horn 13 and at this point of connection with the tone arm there is provided suitable housing or casing 145 having an opening 15 there through which forms a communicating passage between the tone arm and the amplifying horn; The casing or housing 14: is provided with suitable guideways 16 in which a modulator 17 is adapted to slide so as to be moved across the opening 15 to restrict or enlarge the communicating passage between the horn and the amplifier. This modulator 17 is constructed of any suitable flexible material such as felt or other fibrous material and is preferably provided with a groove 18 along one side communicating with an opening 19 which extends into the body of the modulator.

A handle 20 is connected with the modulator by means of the bent extremity 21 which enters the opening 19 while the body of the handle is adapted to be seated in the groove 18 to stand substantially flush with the adjacent edge of the modulator. The handle 20 is provided with a knob or button 22 to facilitate the operation. The casing 14 may be secured in position in any desired or suitable manner and the handle 20 is of such a length that it will extend through the wall of the casing or cabinet 10. If desired a suitable bumper 23 may be provided on the handle 20 adjacent the lmob 22 which engages the wall of the knob and limits the inward movement of the modulator.

With this improved construction it will be manifest that by manipulating the handle 20 the modulator may be moved back and forward in the grooves 16 so as to open or close the opening 15. The edge 24 of the modulator is preferably straight while the opening 15 is circular in cross section, a stop 25 being provided to limit the movement of the modulator in one direction. 'WVith this construction it will be manifest that there with the result that it has been discovered that the casing in which the modulator operates frequently warps or the modulator itself will warp or become'distorted and this will result in the sound waves striking the modulator, causing the same to vibrate or chatter as the modulator must be constructed so asto slide with ease.

By the provision of the flexible modulator as herein described, it will be manifest that such warping or distortion of the walls of the passage or of the casing will in no way affect or retard the operation of the device but the modulator itself will conform to such distortion and will always remain tight, causing a tight joint between the parts, while at the same time it is absolutely impossible for any chatter or vibration to affect the tonal qualities of the instrument. With this improved method of securing the handle to the modulator, it will be manifest that the walls of the groove in which the modulator slides will assist in holding the parts assembled and at the same time the handle will be to one side of the tone passage and will not project into the passage as heretofore and which, when projecting into the tone passage would have a tendency to split the sound waves and cause the sound waves to have a whistling tendency.

While the preferred form of the invention 'modulator constructed entirely of flexible fibrous material, and having a recess in one edge, and a handle having a. deflected extremity, the said deflected extremity of the handle being seated in the body of the modulator and extending substantially thereacross, the portion of the handle adjacent said deflected end being seated in the said recess,

2. A device of the character described embodying a passageway for sound waves, a

sound modulator constructed entirely of a sheet of flexible fibrous material, a casing having an opening therethrough and provided with guides along opposite sides of the opening for receiving and guidingthe edges of the modulator, and a handle connected with one edge of the modulator and between the faces of the modulator for moving the same in the guides and across the said opening.

3. A device of the character described emdescribed emsound modulator constructed entirely of a sheet of flexible fibrous material, a casing having an opening therethrough and provided with guidesalong opposite sides of, the opening for receiving and guidingthe edges of the modulator, and a handle connected to one edge of the modulator and adjacent one of the said guides, the end of the handle being removably seated'in' the body of the modulator. V

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, on this 7th day of February, A. D. 1920.

HENRY rsCnrrr. 

